Shock-resistant shipping envelope for large, thin-walled tubes and the like



Aug. 9, 1966 J. T. PARSONS SHOCK-RESIS TANT SHIPPING ENVELOPE FOR LARGE, THIN-WALLED TUBES AND THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 6, 1964 INVENTOR JOHN T. PARSONS 1%MXQZW ATTORNEY Aug. 9, 1966 J. T. PARSONS 3,265,199

SHOCK-RESISTANT SHIPPING ENVELOPE FOR LARGE, THIN-WALLED TUBES AND THE LIKE Filed July 6, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR JOHN PARSQNS BY 00 //}/W z ATTORNEY United States Patent SHOCK-RESISTANT SHIPPING ENVELOPE FOR LARGE, THIN-WALLED TUBES AND THE LIKE John '1. Parsons, Traverse City, Mich., assignor to Parsons Corporation, Traverse City, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed July 6, 1964, Ser. No. 380,407 6 Claims. (Cl. 20646) The present invention relates generally to a shock-resistant shipping envelope for a large, thin-walled tube, and more particularly to a shock-absorbing two-piece container, the lower portion of which is integrally formed with a support plate therefor which may advantageously be used in handling and storing on movable racks large diameter rocket fuel lines and similar elongated delicate walled articles.

Rocket fuel lines customarily take the form of large metal tubes which are generally cylindrical in shape, having a length upwards of 40 feet and diameter of about 20 inches. The walls of the fuel lines are extremely thin; typically they are in a range of 0.10 inch and 0.085 inch. In order to transport such large, yet thin-walled tubes, without substantial bending or warping, special wheeled handling racks have been designed to convey such tubes while oriented in their horizontal position.

The present invention is essentially an envelope to be carried by such materials handling racks, which consists of a molded glass fiber and resin encapsulating container .split horizontally into top and bottom semi-cylindrical sections, and having an undulated plate support member integrally molded within the bottom section. The center portion of the support member is curved concavely to follow the curvature of the under surface of the lower semicylindrical section. The undulated plate support member is further provided with outstanding, shock-absorbing leg portions which descend curvingly downward to edge base margins which are secured to and restrained by the movable rack.

This unique shipping envelope prevents shock loads from being transmitted to the cylindrical tubes; the undulated plate support member which forms the base of the tube envelope undergoes unique elastic deflections controlled by the restaint to the spreading of its edge margins. In addition, torsional deflections of the rack (such as might be caused by lifting one corner of the rack) do not damage the tube because the cylindrical portion of the tube envelope is free to twist about the tube without applying any force to the tube wall or warping out of shape.

In a modified embodiment of the invention, suitable for handling such tubes when removed from their racks, such edge margin restraint is provided by a sheet extending between the base edge margins.

Therefore, among the objects of the present invention are the provisions of a shipping envelope for a large, thinwalled cylindrical tube;

which is to be transported and stored on a movable materials handling rack;

which is consistent with the requirement that it be sealable against the effects of moisture, humidity, dirt and other contaminating influences; wherein the major support portion of the envelope may be left on the rack on which it is transported and stored thereon; and

which, when used in conjunction with a movable materials handling rack, provides absorption and relief of shock impulses such as those which attend the movement of the racks.

Prior art constructions and methods of transporting large, thin-walled cylindrical tubes have not employed a shock-absorbing sealable shipping envelope which is integrated in its use with a movable materials handling rack to satisfactorily serve these functions; and the principal purpose of the present invention is to fill this need.

Utilization of the invention and subsidiary purposes will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosures made in the following description of the preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the shock-absorbing shipping envelope of the present invention mounted upon a movable materials handling rack for carrying an elongated thin-walled tubular part, such as a delicate rocket fuel line;

FIG. 2 is a broken cross-sectional view taken longitudinally of the shipping envelope of FIG. 1 removed from the handling rack, with such tubular part inside;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the shipping envelope of FIG. 2 taken along the line 3-3;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detailed view of a support leg base margin of the shipping envelope of FIG. 3 shown secured to a lower rail member of the movable handling rack of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 3 of a modified shock-absorbing shipping envelope; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of flexure in the plate support part of the shipping envelope.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1 an elongated, longitudinally-extending shipping envelope, generally designed 10. The shipping envelope 10 resembles a long hollow tube cushioned throughout its length along its bottom and consists of a plate support part generally designated 12, preferably so molded and joined as to be substantially integral with a lower semicylindrical container section 14, and an upper semicylindrical cover section 16 which mates in vertical registration with the lower container section 14.

The entire shipping envelope 1! is made by molding laminae-reinforced plastic material, such as glass fibers impregnated with resin material, to accommodate the size and contour of the particular elongated part 18 to be supported by and carried within the shipping envelope 10. There are two separate members; the first being the lower container section 14 and plate support part 12, and the second being the upper semicylindrical cover section 16. The glass fiber and resin material is especially suitable for a shock-absorbing shipping envelope not only due to its inherent elasticity, but also because it may be shaped to conform to the particular elongated part being shipped, and yet provide an airtight seal to isolate the part 18 from dust, moisture and other contaminants.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 3, the plate support part 12 is shown as an undulated continuous sheet of such material described hereinabove and has a raised central portion 20 which is for-med to follow the periphery of the bottom portion of the container section 14. Throughout this raised central portion 20, illustrated as extending between the dashed lines a of FIG. 3, the plate support part 12 of the embodiment so illustrated, for the cylindrical tube shown, is concavely arcuate with reference to the longitudinal center axis b of the shipping envelope 10 and is of a fixed constant curvature, thus following the cylindrical curvature of the lower portion of the container sec tion 14.

The undulated plate support part 12 has elastically bendable, spring-like shock-absorbing leg portions 22 extending laterally outward on each side of the raised central portion 20. The transition regions between the leg portions 22 and the raised central portion 20 take the form of convexly curved crested junctures 24 which resist sagging and maintain the portion 20 taut therebetween. The leg portions 22 then curve coucavely outward and downward from the convexly crested junctures 24 to terminate in base margins 26 at a level spaced below the lowermost portion of the raised central portion 20.

Referring to FIG. 4, means are provided at the base margins 26 for restraining outward and lateral movement of the shock-absorbing leg portions 22 of the support part 12. As one means of restraining the outward movement of the leg portions 22, a base margin vertical flange 28 is provided along the entire length of each leg portion 22 at its outermost edge. The base margin flange 28 is adapted to abut against the vertical and diagonal rail members of the materials handling rack 62, hereinafter described, which carries the shipping envelope such abutment prevents outward spreading of the leg portions 22 under load.

As an added or alternative securement, a vertical bore 30 is provided through the horizontally-extending flap portion 32 of the base margins 26 at desired longitudinal spacings. This permits the shipping envelope 10 to be secured to the materials handling rack at the base margins 26 by bolted securement means 34.

The lower semicylindrical section 14 which serves as the container part into which the elongated part '18 may be deposited, has ends 36 which extend upwardly from the lower portion of the container section to terminate in a short horizontal sealing flange 38. The sealing flange 38 is continuous from the ends 36 along each side of the lower container sect-ion 14; it presents a continuous flange which extends horizontally outward from the upper edge portion of the lower container section 14. The interior of the semicylindrical container section 14 may be lined with a rubber or plastic foam absorbing pad if the elongated part 18 is to rest flush within the container section. In the embodiment shown, T-shaped extrusions 40 are bonded around the sides of the elongated part to spacedly support it from the interior surface of the container section 14, as shown in FIG. 2. The outer flange of the T-shaped extrusions 40 may be covered by a cushioning strip 41, as shown. Also shown in that figure are pocket-like desiccant holding provisions, used to control the moisture within the envelope 10.

The upper semicylindrical cover section 16, including its ends 46, is generally symmetrical with the lower container section 14 and its ends 36. Handle provisions 42 are attached along its outer surface for facilitating its placement on and removal from the lower container section 14. Along its lower edge portion which is presented to the container section 14, the cover section 16 has an outwardly extending sealing flange 44 which mates sealedly with the lower sections sealing flange 38; and fasteners (not shown) may be used for securement.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown register'ing annular enlarged portions 48 spaced at longitudinal intervals along the upper and lower semicylindrical sections 14 and 16. At each end of the shipping envelope 10, these annular enlarged portions 48 receive disc-like inserts 50, against which the ends of the elongated part 18 are lodged by means of rubber grommets 52. The lodging of the part ends against the inserts 50 protect against the longitudinal movement of the part 18 within the shipping envelope 10. Intermediate the ends of the shipping envelope 10, the annular enlarged portions 48 may advantageously be formed to permit a hoist sling 54 to be wrapped around the elongated part 18 or to receive the outer flanges of the T-shaped extrusions 40.

The lower portion of the container section 14 and the raised central portion of the plate support part 12 may be formed downwardly at one or more intervals between the leg portions 22 to provide a desiccant pocket such as that shown at 56. The desiccant pocket may be provided with desiccant material 60 and the elongated part 18 supported spacedly from the interior surface of the cover section 16 so that the air within the shipping envelope 10 will circulate over the desiccant material 60. Thus, the moisture entrapped in the shipping envelope may be removed from the air by the desiccant material 60.

A typical movable materials handling rack 62 is shown in FIG. 1 with the shipping envelope 10 carried upon its lower rail members 64 to which the base margins 26 are bolted, as shown in FIG. 4. The rack 62 is openended and has casters 66 which facilitate moving the rack 62 from one work area to another.

In use, the lower semicylindrical container section 14 is placed upon the materials handling rack 16 and secured to the lower rail members 64 by bolted securement means 34 inserted through the base margin bores 30, as shown in FIG. 4. The desiccant 60 may then be placed in the desiccant pockets 56 and the delicate, elongated part 18 lowered into the container section 14, the annular enlarged portions 48 assisting in the securement or removal of hoist slings 54 at spaced intervals along the part 18. The rubber grommets 52 are then inserted over the ends of the elongated part 18 which is restrained from lateral movement by the placement of the disc-like inserts 50 into the enlarged pontions 48 at the ends of the shipping envelope 10. The upper cover section 16 is then placed over the elongated part 18, T-shaped extrusions 40, and inserts 50 so that the sealing flange 44 is in vertical registration with the sealing flange 38 of the container section 14. The sealing flanges 38, 44 may then be securedly sealed together; thus, readying the materials handling rack 62 for movement or shipment over long distances.

Because the materials handling rack 62 is open-ended (that is, without structural cross members at its ends), raising of one of the casters 66 at one end will subject the shipping envelope 10 to torsional stresses. Also, in lifting the materials handling rack to and from transporting vehicles, lateral and vertical impulses are likely to be encountered.

Such lateral and vertical shock loads, encountered during shipment or other handling are absorbed principally by the concave, downwardly-extending leg portions 22 of the plate support part 12. Downward movements of the raised central portion 22, illustrated in FIG. 6, increase the radius of curvature of the convex crested junctures 24 by flexing the leg portions 22 against the restraint offered by the base margins 26. A significant part of this restraint arises as the result of securement of the margins 26 against outward movement, either by bolting or by abutting against the side members of the rack 62. The leg portions 22 also flex in response to the lateral forces, so that by this fiexture, both vertical and lateral shock forces are absorbed by the undulated plate support part 12.

Where torsional forces are imparted to the materials handling rack 62 (such as are sustained by raising one of the end casters 66), they are not transmitted to the elongated part 18 because the lower container section 14 is contoured to the shape of the part 18 and then connected to the rack 62 by means of the flexible leg portions 22. When deflected in torsion, relative to the other end, one end of the container section 14 is free to rotate arcuately about the part 18 and warp along its length without warping the part 18. This relative movement between the elongated part -18 and the container section 14 prevents the imposition of torsional forces into the part 18.

A modified shipping envelope 10 is shown in crosssection in FIG. 5. This modified shipping envelope is particularly advantageous for use where the envelope is to be removed from the materials handling rack, and yet it is desired to retain the shock-absorbing characteristics of the leg portions 22. To accomplish this, a continuous flat sheet 68, having a length substantially that of the entire shipping envelope 10 and a width which is defined by the distance between base margins 26, is secured as edges to the base margins 26. The flat sheet 68 serves as a restraint in tension against the outward movement of the base margins 26 even though the shipping envelope is removed from the handling rack 62. In addition, the flat sheet 68 adds substantially to the bending strength of the shipping envelope as removed from the rack; and may serve as the lower sealing wall of the desiccant pocket 56.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. For example, the particular shape of the envelope may be altered to fit other types of parts. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

I claim: 1. For use with a handling rack or the like, a shock-absorbing shipping envelope for an elongated part to be handled, comprising container means for receiving such part, an elongated undulated plate support part having a raised central portion formed integrally with said container means and including elastic shock-absorbing leg portions outward of said central portion, said leg portions curving concavely downward from convexly curved crested junctures formed between said leg portions and said raised central portion, said downwardly and outwardly curved leg portions of said plate support part further terminating in base margins at a level below said raised central portion,

whereby vertical and lateral shock loads are absorbed by the plate support part.

2. A shipping envelope as defined in claim 1, wherein said base margins include means for restraining said shock-absorbing leg portions from outward movement,

whereby downward deflection of said central portion of said plate support part increases the radius of curvature of the convex crested portion of said leg portions by flexing them against the restaint offered by said base margin restraining means.

3. A shipping envelope as defined in claim 1, wherein said raised central portion of said undulated plate support part is concavely arcuate and of constant curvature between said convex crested portions of said leg portions, and

said container means has a lower portion integral with said plate support part and of the same curvature as complementing the curvature of said arcuate central portion.

4. A shipping envelope as defined in claim 3, wherein said lower portion of the container means is a semicylindrical section, and said container means further includes an upper semicylindrical section sealedly secureable thereto.

5. A shipping envelope as defined in claim 4, wherein the plate support part and container means are of laminae-reinforced plastic material, and

said upper and lower semicylindrical sections have registering annular enlarged portions at spaced longitudinal intervals therealong.

6. A shock-absorbing shipping envelope for an elongated delicate part, comprising container means for receiving such part,

an elongated undualted plate support part having a raised central portion formed integrally with said container means and including elastic shock-absorbing leg portions outward of said central portion, said leg portions curving concavely downward from convexly curved crested junctures formed between said leg portions and said raised central portion,

said downwardly and outwardly curved leg portions of said plate support part further terminating in base margins at a level below said raised central portion,

together with,

a flat sheet extending the width and length of said plate support part and secured at its edges to said base margins,

whereby downward deflection of said central portion of said plate support part increases the radius of curvature of the convex crested portion of said leg portions by flexing them against the restraint offered by tension stresses set up in the flat sheet.

No references cited.

THERON E, CONDON, Primary Examiner.

I. B. MARBERT, Assistant Examiner. 

1. FOR USE WITH A HANDLING RACK OR THE LIKE, A SHOCK-ABSORBING SHIPPING ENVELOPE FOR AN ELONGATED PART TO BE HANDLED, COMPRISING CONTAINER MEANS FOR RECEIVING SUCH PART, AN ELONGATED UNDULATED PLATE SUPPORT PART HAVING A RAISED CENTRAL PORTION FORMED INTEGRALLY WITH SAID CONTAINER MEANS AND INCLUDING ELASTIC SHOCK-ABSORBING LEG PORTIONS OUTWARD OF SAID CENTRAL PORTION, SAID LEG PORTIONS CURVING CONCAVELY DOWARD FROM CONVEXLY CURVED CRESTED JUNCTURES FORMED BETWEEN SAID LEG PORTIONS AND SAID RAISED CENTRAL PORTION, 